Wes HIckman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement in response to news the South Carolina Electric and Gas Company (SCE&G) and Santee Cooper have submitted an application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build and operate up to two new nuclear electric generating units. 

Graham said:

“I’m very pleased and excited to hear SCE&G and Santee Cooper have applied to construct and operate two new nuclear power plants in South Carolina .

“The additional use of nuclear power is one of the major steps we must take to become more energy independent as a nation.

“The benefits of nuclear power are clear: It is reliable, efficient, and safe.  It helps lessen our dependence on foreign oil.    It is an environmentally-friendly energy source which does not pollute our air or produce carbon emissions.

“I strongly support this application.  Construction and operation of new nuclear power plants will provide South Carolina with abundant, affordable power for decades to come.” 

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Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) signed on to an amicus curiae brief to the United States Supreme Court in the case of the District of Columbia v. Heller.  Oral arguments in the case were heard in the Supreme Court earlier today.

The brief was signed by Vice President Dick Cheney, 55 U.S. Senators, and 250 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Graham made these comments on District of Columbia v. Heller.

“This case involves nothing more than the right of law abiding persons to keep common handguns and usable firearms for lawful self-defense in the home. 

“Congress has historically viewed the Second Amendment as protecting from infringement the right of the people at large to keep and bear arms.  It has further regarded ordinary, commonly-possessed rifles, handguns, and shotguns to be constitutionally protected firearms.  It has also passed regulations for engaging in firearms businesses and to require background checks on firearms transferees, and has restricted certain dangerous categories of persons from possession of firearms.  None of these laws is called into question by the lower court’s limited holding.

“The Court should affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals.”

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BACKGROUND

The Supreme Court’s consideration of the case marks the first time since 1939 that the Court will rule on a Second Amendment challenge to a firearm law.  The Court’s decision is expected to have broad and long-lasting ramifications on gun ownership and Second Amendment rights.

The District of Columbia has some of the most restrictive gun laws of any city in the United States.  In 1976, the City Council banned handguns and required rifles and shotguns to be registered, stored unloaded and either locked or unassembled. 

Six District of Columbia residents sued the city over this firearms prohibition. 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in March 2007 that the District of Columbia’s gun control laws violate individual Second Amendment rights.  The majority opinion stated, “Section 7-2507.02, like the bar of carrying a pistol within a home, amounts to a complete prohibition on the lawful use of handguns for self-defense.  As such we hold it is unconstitutional.”

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has introduced an amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution to extend the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts.  A Senate vote on the Graham Amendment is expected on Thursday.

“Do we really want to raise taxes on Americans who are already struggling to make ends meet?” questioned Graham.  “Millions of taxpayers and businesses will see their tax bills literally increase overnight if we don’t make the Bush tax cuts permanent.  We will drive companies offshore and create fewer jobs here at home.”

Graham noted that if the tax cuts are not made permanent 116 million taxpayers will see their tax bill increase an average of $1,800. 

The Graham amendment makes room in the budget to make permanent:

• The current marginal tax rates of 35, 33, 28, and 25 percent.  If they are allowed to expire
• December 31, 2010 the new rates will be 39.6, 36, 31 and 28 percent.
  
• Lower rates on capital gains and dividends.
  
• College tuition deduction
  
• Includes the Kyl language on estate tax relief – a $5 million exemption with a 35 percent top rate.

“If we don’t pass my amendment there is going to be a major tax increase coming to millions of hard-working Americans,” said Graham.  “At a time when people need more money for their families and businesses at home, it’s time to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.” 

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Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on comments by Senators Hillary Clinton (D-New York) and Barack Obama (D-Illinois).

“Senator Clinton made an interesting statement last night.  She said, “We're ready to end the war in Iraq and win the war in Afghanistan .”  No one doubts we must win in Afghanistan , the country that gave rise to the Taliban and Al Qaeda.  But Senator Clinton’s Iraq statement about “ending” the Iraq war was quite troubling. 

“I realize the political left in our country does not want to hear the word ‘win’ mentioned in a conversation about Iraq, but our own national security interests require us to ‘win,’ not simply ‘end.’  It really is a bit unnerving to me that Senator Clinton would not understand consequences of losing in Iraq .

“ Iraq is clearly a central battlefront in the War on Terror.  Winning is not only now possible, but necessary. 

“Last night, Senator Obama eloquently described how a grandfather living in Uganda was following the American presidential election.  He was right.  The world is watching and that audience includes some of the most vicious killers known to mankind.  Al Qaeda is taking measure of each and every word uttered. 

“While Al Qaeda has suffered from the surge of troops into Iraq , they are inspired when they hear American leaders discussing how they plan to leave the central battlefront in the War on Terror.  Here’s to hoping that neither Senator Clinton nor Obama give them inspiring moments in the weeks and months ahead.” 

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